Publisher Howard White Invested into the Order of Canada

April 11, 2008

Howard White was awarded Canada's highest civilian honour, the Order of Canada, this morning. White was bestowed the honour by Michäelle Jean, the Governor General of Canada, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa with 43 other Canadians, among them former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, social activist Craig Kielberger, author Charlotte Gray, golfer Mike Weir and rocker Tom Cochrane.

The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement and service in various fields of human endeavour. It is our country’s highest civilian honour for lifetime achievement. There are three different levels of membership—Companion, Officer and Member—that honour people whose accomplishments vary in degree and scope. Appointments are made on the recommendation of an advisory council, chaired by the chief justice of Canada.

White, now a Member of the Order of Canada, was honoured "as the founder and president of Harbour Publishing[.] Howard White has contributed over 30 years to the growth of Canada’s West Coast publishing industry. After the initial success of his own Raincoast Chronicles, he has dedicated his efforts to publishing and promoting British Columbia’s unique literary creations. Through an eclectic array of works reflecting the cultural heart of the region, including the acclaimed Encyclopedia of British Columbia, he has brought to life the personal stories and histories of his province."

White accepts the award "on behalf of all of our authors, and all of our publishing team."